In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines

Paluszek, Michael A.; Ham, Eric M.; Razin, Yosef; Cohen, Samuel A.

Title: In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines

Abstract

The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.

Inventors:: Paluszek, Michael A.; Ham, Eric M.; Razin, Yosef; Cohen, Samuel A.

Issue Date:: 2019-03-12

Research Org.:: Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE

OSTI Identifier:: 1525050

Patent Number(s):: 10229756

Application Number:: 14/466,425

Assignee:: Princeton Satellite Systems, Inc. (Plainsboro, NJ); The Trustees of Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):: F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F02 - COMBUSTION ENGINES F02K - JET-PROPULSION PLANTS

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F02 - COMBUSTION ENGINES F02K - JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
F02K9/08 - using solid propellants

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
Y02E30/10 - Fusion reactors

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21B - FUSION REACTORS
G21B1/052 - {reversed field configuration}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F02 - COMBUSTION ENGINES F02B - INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES
F02B2043/106 - {Hydrogen obtained by electrolysis}

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B64 - AIRCRAFT B64G - COSMONAUTICS
B64G1/408 - {Nuclear spacecraft propulsion}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03H - PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
F03H1/0093 - {Electro-thermal plasma thrusters, i.e. thrusters heating the particles in a plasma

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21B - FUSION REACTORS
G21B1/00 - Thermonuclear fusion reactors

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DOE Contract Number:: AC02-09CH11466

Resource Type:: Patent

Resource Relation:: Patent File Date: 2014-08-22

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; 08 HYDROGEN; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION

Citation Formats


                    Paluszek, Michael A., Ham, Eric M., Razin, Yosef, and Cohen, Samuel A. In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines.  United States: N. p., 2019. 
        Web.

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                    Paluszek, Michael A., Ham, Eric M., Razin, Yosef, & Cohen, Samuel A. In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines.  United States.

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                    Paluszek, Michael A., Ham, Eric M., Razin, Yosef, and Cohen, Samuel A. Tue .  
        "In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines".  United States.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1525050.

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@article{osti_1525050,

  title        = {In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines},

  author       = {Paluszek, Michael A. and Ham, Eric M. and Razin, Yosef and Cohen, Samuel A.},

  abstractNote = {The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.},

  doi          = {},

  journal      = {},
number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {2019},

  month        = {3}

}

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Title: In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines

Abstract

Citation Formats

Commercial hydrogen gas production by electrolysis of water while being subjected to microwave energy patent, May 1981

Flywheel energy storage with superconductor magnetic bearings patent, June 1993

Formation of a field reversed configuration for magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma patent, November 2009

Control systems for generators patent, November 1980

Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell patent, March 1998

Ion implantation systems and methods utilizing a downstream gas source patent, May 2005

Nuclear fusion system patent, January 1981

Method and apparatus for operation of combustion engines patent, December 2000

Plasma electric generation and propulsion system patent-application, September 2006

Commercial hydrogen gas production by electrolysis of water while being subjected to microwave energy
patent, May 1981

Flywheel energy storage with superconductor magnetic bearings
patent, June 1993

Formation of a field reversed configuration for magnetic and electrostatic confinement of plasma
patent, November 2009

Control systems for generators
patent, November 1980

Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell
patent, March 1998

Ion implantation systems and methods utilizing a downstream gas source
patent, May 2005

Nuclear fusion system
patent, January 1981

Method and apparatus for operation of combustion engines
patent, December 2000

Plasma electric generation and propulsion system
patent-application, September 2006